Biomedical subjects

C S Fulco

Publications and source records attributed to C S Fulco.

43 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed1986

Effect of spironolactone on acute mountain sickness.

This study examined the effectiveness of spironolactone as a prophylactic agent for the prevention of acute mountain sickness (AMS). Spironolactone, 25 mg PO QID, or placebo was administered to nine subjects in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover design. Medication was given for 48 h prior to and during a 46-h exposure to 427 mm Hg (4570 m) in a hypobaric chamber. Six subjects demonstrated prevention of either the cerebral or respiratory symptoms of AMS during at least one segment of the altitude sojourn.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1986

The effect of spironolactone on the cardiocirculatory responses to upright tilt at sea level and at simulated high altitude.

The objective of this study was to determine if spironolactone (S) alters the cardiocirculatory responses to upright tilt at sea level (SL;50 m) and during 44 h of simulated altitude (HA;4,600 m). In a double-blind, crossover-designed study, 9 male subjects (age range: 18-25 years) received 25 mg orally, four times per day of either S or an identically-appearing placebo (P) 2 d prior to and during HA. The crossover was separated by 2 weeks. Heart rate, stroke volume, cardiac output, calf blood flow, total peripheral resistance and systemic blood pressure were obtained during supine rest and after 10 min of 60 degrees head-up tilt using an impedance monitor and an electro-sphygmomanometer. The 24-h determinations of urinary volume, sodium and potassium as well as venous plasma values for sodium, potassium and chloride were obtained daily. There were no statistically significant differences between P and S treatment periods for: caloric, electrolytes or fluid ingestion; urinary volume or electrolytes; plasma electrolytes; or any of the cardiocirculatory parameters measured in the supine or upright position at SL or during HA. It was concluded that S did not induce a significant diuresis or significantly alter vascular responsiveness to negatively effect the normal cardiocirculatory responses to upright tilt at sea level or simulated high altitude.

Adult↗

PubMed1985

A software package for administering and monitoring the Environmental Symptoms Questionnaire (ESQ-III).

The latest version of the Environmental Symptoms Questionnaire (ESQ-III) contains 67 symptoms designed to allow researchers to evaluate a broad range of environmental stresses. We have developed an interactive computer software package that administers and monitors the ESQ-III. This package, written in a format maximizing clarity, provides consistency of administration from one test or day to another, checks for response inconsistencies, maintains subject motivation, provides feedback to the subject and allows an investigator to quickly inspect raw and computed results. Further, because there is no interaction between investigators and subjects, no experimenter bias can be introduced. This package can be adapted to almost any computer system having a CRT and at least one disc drive.

Aerospace Medicine↗

PubMed1985

Anthropometric changes at high altitude.

Eight white males (18-25 yr) were evaluated before, during and after 18-d residence on the summit of Pikes Peak, CO (4300 m; high altitude, HA) to describe the anthropometric changes associated with weight loss and to test the accuracy of a number of previously published prediction equations in assessing any alteration of the relative fat-to-lean tissue ratio during exposure to HA. Body weight (BW), 10 circumference (C), and 7 skinfold (SF) measurements were obtained preprandial at sea level (SL) and on days 2,4,6,9,12,16, and 18 at HA. Body density was estimated by hydrostatic weighing (HW) pre- and post-HA. BW differed from SL (p less than 0.01) after day 9 at HA. HW indicated that the pre- to post-HA weight loss was partitioned into a 2.06 kg loss in fat-free body mass (p less than 0.001) and an insignificant increase in fat wt (0.58 kg). Percent body fat (BF) increased from 16.6 to 17.7 (p less than 0.02). After day 9 of HA, the sum of SF and C measurements increased (p less than 0.02) and decreased (p less than 0.05) from SL, respectively. The largest changes occurred in the chest and scapula SF and in the C of the hip, neck, calf, and two abdominal sites. The alterations in triceps, waist, and total SF were related to the increase in fat weight and BF (r greater than 0.71).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

PubMed1985

Hemodynamic responses to upright tilt at sea level and high altitude.

Hemodynamic responses to upright tilt were studied in eight young men at sea level (SL); after 1 h at 4,300 m simulated altitude (SA); and at 18 h, 66 h and 114 h during residence at 4,300 m (HA). Heart rate (HR), stroke volume (SV), cardiac output (CO), calf blood flow (CBF), blood pressure (BP) and total peripheral resistance (TPR) were obtained during supine rest and after 13 min of 60 degrees head-up tilt using an impedance monitor and electrosphygmomanometer. SL to HA changes in blood volume (BV) were calculated from hematocrit and hemoglobin values. Plasma norepinephrine (Nor) was measured at SL and after 18 h and 66 h of HA. Supine HR, TPR and BP were increased while SV, CO and CBF were reduced SL to HA (p less than 0.05). HR and BP in the upright position were increased SL to HA (p less than 0.05). The responses to tilt (delta supine to upright) were unaltered SL vs SA. With prolonged exposure, SV, CO, TPR and CBF responses to tilt were reduced (p less than 0.05). The reduced responses to tilt at HA were associated with a 10% decline in BV (p less than 0.01) and a 40% increase in Nor (p less than 0.05). It was concluded that the reduction in SV during tilt at SL and SA was compensated for by increases in HR and TPR in order to maintain BP. After 18 h HA, BP in the upright position was maintained only by an increase in HR.

Adult↗

PubMed1984

Prevention of acute mountain sickness by dexamethasone.

Acute mountain sickness is a syndrome that occurs when unacclimatized persons ascend rapidly to high altitudes. It is postulated that cerebral edema causes its symptoms. Since dexamethasone is useful in treating some forms of cerebral edema, we investigated its role in the prevention of acute mountain sickness. Using a double-blind crossover design, we exposed eight young men to a simulated altitude of 4570 m (15,000 ft) on two occasions. By random assignment, each subject received dexamethasone (4 mg every 6 hours) or placebo for 48 hours before and throughout the 42-hour exposure. The presence of symptoms of acute mountain sickness was established by two methods: a questionnaire and an interview by a physician. Dexamethasone significantly reduced the symptoms of acute mountain sickness. During dexamethasone treatment, the cerebral-symptom score (mean +/- S.E.) decreased from 1.09 +/- 0.18 to 0.26 +/- 0.08, and the respiratory-symptom score decreased from 0.64 +/- 0.09 to 0.31 +/- 0.06 (both, P less than 0.05). As judged by the interviewing physician, the symptom score decreased from 1.10 +/- 0.11 to 0.28 +/- 0.07 (P = 0.01). We conclude that dexamethasone may be effective in preventing the symptoms of acute mountain sickness.

Acute Disease↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Influence of altitude and caffeine during rest and exercise on plasma levels of proenkephalin peptide F.

The purpose of this study was to examine the resting and exercise response patterns of plasma Peptide F immunoreactivity (ir) to altitude exposure (4300 m) and caffeine ingestion (4 mg.kg b.w.-1). Nine healthy male subjects performed exercise tests to exhaustion (80-85% VO2max) at sea level (50 m), during an acute altitude exposure (1 hr, hypobaric chamber, 4300 m) and after a chronic (17-day sojourn, 4300 m) altitude exposure. Using a randomized, double-blind/placebo experimental design, a placebo or caffeine drink was ingested 1 hour prior to exercise. Exercise (without caffeine) significantly (p less than 0.05) increased plasma Peptide F ir values during exercise at chronic altitude only. Caffeine ingestion significantly increased plasma Peptide F ir concentrations during exercise and in the postexercise period at sea level. Conversely caffeine ingestion at altitude resulted in significant reductions in the postexercise plasma Peptide F ir values. The results of this study demonstrate that the exercise and recovery response patterns of plasma Peptide F ir may be significantly altered by altitude exposure and caffeine ingestion. These data support further study examining relationships between Peptide F (and other enkephalin-containing polypeptides) and epinephrine release in response to these types of physiological stresses.

Adult↗